Pre-Award Process
Navigating the Pre-Award Process

The Pre-Award process is managed by the Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) office at UCSF.  OSR provides expert administrative support to all researchers, from pre-award through the award process on all grant mechanisms. OSR teams collaborate with the Principal Investigator (PI), their department and our sponsors so that PIs may be successful in their research grants. In order to avoid spending delays, before applying for any awards, please contact the pre-award specialist in the OSR office.

 Questions About the Pre-Award Process

I am a new Investigator, how do I find out research opportunities that give me a good chance of being funded?
Where can I get a list of grant opportunities (NIH and foundations) that specifically focus on mid-career development?

The NIH has a useful information aimed at helping guide mid-career investigators on their application process.  The site suggests contacting a program officer from the Career Development Program.  To determine the officer that best match's your interest refer to the NIH website

I want to submit a grant request for an opportunity that just came up. Who will my contact be?

UCSF has centralized the pre-award process. You can find the person that is assigned to you by going to the OSR website.  

If you are having trouble getting the help that you need please contact the Director of Research Administration and Operations for the Department, Gina Goodrich: [email protected] ; Ph: (415) 502-3345.

I would like to work on an Industry Trial or a Clinical Trial, how can I do that?

UCSF has centralized the Industry Trials process. You can find the person that is assigned to you by going to the ITA website.

If you are having trouble getting the help that you need please contact the Director of Research Administration and Operations for the Department, Gina Goodrich: [email protected]; Ph: (415) 502-3345.

I would like to work on a Material Transfer Agreement, how can I do that?

Our ITA Professional will be able to help you with your Industry Trials effort. You can find the person that is assigned to you by going to the following ITA website.

If you are having trouble getting the help that you need please contact the Director of Research Administration and Operations for the Department, Gina Goodrich: [email protected]; Ph: (415) 502-3345.

I am in an Academic Series but not a Professor. Can I be the PI on a grant submission?

University policy automatically confers principal investigator status to the following faculty:

a) Academic Senate Members, including emeriti;

b) Appointees salaried at 50% or more of full-time in the ladder ranks, in-residence, adjunct series,clinical, or research series;

c) Appointees in the librarian series.

If you are not included in the above list, you can submit a PI Status Waiver Form. Please note, you must be signed in the UC Campus or on VPN to download the form.

I have to submit an IRB application. How do I go about working on it?

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery has Clinical Research Coordinators (CRC) assigned to each unit that may help you with your submission. Contact the Director of Research Administration and Operations, Gina Goodrich, [email protected]; Ph: (415) 502-3345. However, you can submit your IRB application on your own. Here are general guidelines: